Tisdale looking to boost strikeforce in transfer window
I’ll be doing everything I can to improve the team, and the way it plays
PAUL Tisdale wants to add more attacking firepower to his Bristol Rovers squad in the January transfer window.
The Bristol Post understands the Gas have made inquires about the availability of strikers with trading to begin in three days’ time.
The Gas have just three senior strikers on the books, and only Brandon Hanlan and Jonah Ayunga are available over the festive period with James Daly nursing an ankle injury.
Ayunga’s maiden League One campaign has been blighted by a hamstring injury he suffered after joining from Havant & Waterlooville in the summer, and he has only recently returned to the fold.
Former Gillingham forward Hanlan has had to shoulder the scoring burden and he tops Rovers’ chart with seven goals from 17 appearances in all competitions.
Scoring has been a real struggle for the Gas in League One in particular, with 18 goals scored in 17 league games.
Only Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town have scored fewer goals, and although Rovers have generally posed a greater attacking threat since Tisdale’s arrival, the manager and director of football Tommy Widdrington believe they need to bolster their options.
It is understood the club are seeking strikers with League One experience.
“The window gives me opportunity and if we need to strengthen or we’ve got injuries, or we identify we’ve got a certain type of player we need to find, it will give me a chance,” Tisdale replied on Boxing Day when asked about his plans for January.
“We’ve got a month ahead of us to do that and I’ll be doing everything I can to improve the team, and the way it plays, the best way possible.”
Another area the club is understood to be eager to recruit is rightback. Captain Max Ehmer, predominantly a centre-back, has performed well out of position on the right of the defence, but Rovers are assessing potential signings.
Josh Hare is an out-and-out wing-back who has suffered from the shift from a back three to a fourman defence, while veteran rightback Mark Little has missed plenty of action with calf injuries over the past 12 months.
Between the posts, Rovers are in a similar situation to last January with star goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola facing a period on the sidelines.
The Gas moved in the loan market to bring in Jamal Blackman from Chelsea until the end of the campaign, and he impressed with four clean sheets in 10 appearances.
At the time, Rovers were also
considering experienced Cardiff City goalkeeper Joe Day, but opted for Blackman - now at Championship Rotherham United. He cost Rovers nothing in wages or loan fees.
The Gas could take a similar route in this window with Finland international Jaakkola nursing an Achilles problem which will rule him out for several games, or they
may yet put their faith in his understudy Jordi van Stappershoef.
The Dutchman has delivered mixed performances in Jaakkola’s absence in recent weeks, showing inconsistencies typical of a young goalkeeper but Rovers will ponder whether they can afford errors in that position with Tisdale’s side hovering above the relegation zone.